ShareThisBy: Yoly T. Tubalinal
A Touch of Weng
She might as well be the choice for Gintong Pamana’s Melchora Aquino Award in Nursing, 2012 for her excellent nursing skills, devotion to nursing and the numerous significant positions and awards she has received in the nursing profession.
In 1974, Weng graduated from San Pedro Hospital School of Nursing in Davao City Philippines and in 1976, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Philippine Women’s University .
Weng worked as a company nurse for the Philippine Infrastructure Inc. from 1976 to 1978 and for Bank of America in Makati, Philippines shortly after, before migrating to Chicago in 1978. She started work at Lake Shore Nursing Home immediately after arrival in Chicago before moving to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in 1980 to 2006, where she honed her skills as a charge nurse in Trauma Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and open heart surgery. A RN, BSN, CCRN (Certified Critical Care Nurse), she had 20 years of ICU experience, taking care of all complex post-operative patients. Her expertise earned her the positions of Practice Leader at the Surgical ICU and Assistant nurse manager at the 20-bed unit Level 1 Trauma and ICU.
In 2001 Weng was nominated for the AACN (American Association of Critical Care Nurses) Excellence Recognition Award for her invaluable service to her patients as a critical care nurse. In the same year, Weng also received the Dorothy Rome Nursing Award as Nurse of the Year. This award distinguished her for the leadership and clinical skills she has demonstrated as Practice Leader and eventually, as Assistant nurse manager at the Surgical ICU and Level 1 Trauma and ICU.
In 2006, Weng went to work for the Electronic Intensive Care Unit Advocate Group based in Oakbrook. Here she learned to work with and appreciate the use of electronically-driven data such as high speed computer data lines, cameras and microphones coming together in a central location to monitor patients in virtually any number of ICU rooms in remote hospitals. The centralized monitoring location is staffed 24/7 by intensivists and experienced ICU nurses who are on hand to help the floor staff ensure the highest possible patient care.
Equipped with the experience, skills, knowledge and professionalism she has mustered over the years, Weng knew she was ready for a home health care business and founded the Human Touch Home Health, Inc. She has served as its President and Administrator since 2006. Shortly after its founding, Human Touch was named among the top 500 Home Health Agencies in the U.S. in 2010 by the Home Care Elite.
In addition to being an excellent nurse, Weng Sanson is a very attractive woman whose style reflects minimalism and understated elegance. Weng’s best physical asset, however, is her clean as a weasel set of pearly white and perfectly chiseled teeth that crowns her every “Close Up” smile.
It isn’t surprising then that she got nominated for the Prism Award instead of Melchora Aquino Award in Nursing. A genuine Prism woman, she personifies both style and achievements. Her strong sense of independence, business leadership, deep faith and charitable endeavors, also speak of a true woman of substance.
Weng loves to travel and has been to over 40 countries around the world. A devout Catholic who graduated from Notre Dame High School in Cotabato City, she has joined several pilgrimages around the world. She believes in Mother Theresa’s words that “In this world, you cannot do great things. You can only do small things with great love.” Weng has been a benefactor for numerous Catholic charities and fundraising projects. She donates to relief operations for the benefit of natural calamities victims and to Gawad Kalinga and now pledges continuing support for the Gintong Pamana Award Foundation’s missions.